Golf putter aid

ABSTRACT

A practice device used to improve a golfer&#39;s putting stroke, the device including: a bar member defining a support surface and constructed to be secured to a golf club shaft in order to maintain the support surface essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft; and a cord member secured to the bar member and including a cord secured to the bar member to extend across the golf club shaft. The cord member is secured to the bar member in a manner to allow the golfer&#39;s forearms to be held securely between the cord member and the bar member when the golfer grips the club shaft in a normal manner to execute a putting stroke.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. 119e, of Provisional Applications Nos. 61/341,207, filed on Mar. 29, 2010, and 61/435,440, filed on Jan. 24, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to practice aids for helping golfers improve their putting stroke.

While a number of devices for this purpose have already been proposed, none has proven to be particularly beneficial.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new practice aid that improves the putting stroke in a superior manner.

The practice aid according to the invention is composed of a bar constructed to be secured to the upper end of a putter shaft and to extend in a direction essentially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and essentially perpendicular to the plane of the putter head, together with a strap, or cord, whose ends are secured to the bar at opposite sides of the putter shaft.

In use, the strap is pulled tight, or at least with little slack, across the bar and the user inserts his or her hands between the bar and the strap and grips the putter shaft in the usual way. At this time, the thumb sides of the wrists are in contact with the strap and the little finger sides are in contact with the bar.

The practice aid according to the invention helps the golfer improve his or her putting stroke by restraining the wrists and forearms, thereby reducing extra unnecessary wrist motion and movement that could result in inconsistent and faulty delivery of the putter through impact. Further, its design forces proper alignment of the forearms and in so doing makes it easier for the user to execute an accurate and repeatable swing path and putting stroke. Over and above the assistance and guidance it offers by stabilizing the forearms and wrists and the manner in which it improves the stroke path and direction, the aid also has a secondary benefit in aiding in the achievement of improved tempo and rhythm of the putting stroke.

The practice aid is constructed to promote wrist stability during the putting stroke. This is essential for good tempo and more reliably helps to maintain the back straight and to produce a straight through putting motion. The practice aid promotes the use of shoulders, arms, and wrists in one single motion of the putting stroke which is vital to achieve correct alignment of the ball path during the putting stroke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing an embodiment of the putting practice aid according to the invention connected to a putter shaft.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, detail view of an embodiment of a component of the device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the putting practice aid is composed essentially of a bar 4 and a stability strap, or cord, 6 secured between holes 20 and 22 at respective ends of bar 4 with the aid of a push button lock 24, as will be described in detail below. One end of strap 6 is terminated by a loop, or ring, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of bar 4. According to this embodiment, bar 4 is composed of a ring 30 and two arms 32. Ring 30 is provided with two essentially diametrically opposed threaded bores, while each arm 32 has a threaded end formed to mate with a respective threaded bore in ring 30.

In use, ring 30 is slipped over club shaft 2 so that the upper edge of ring 30 is about 1″ below the top of club shaft 2. Then, arms 32 are screwed into the threaded bores in ring 30 until they clamp shaft 2 between them so that bar 4 is fixed to shaft 2. Then strap 20 is installed as described above and tensioned sufficiently to rest firmly against the user's forearms.

Strap 6 is then connected to bar 4 by being inserted through hole 20 and then through the loop at the end of strap 6, to thereby secure that end of strap 6 with respect to hole 20. Strap 6 is then inserted through hole 22 and then through push button lock 24, such as a conventional cord lock. Strap 6 can then be pulled by the desired amount and lock 24 can be brought into contact with bar 4 to secure strap 6 with the desired tightness.

Stability strap 6 should be set tight enough to provide lateral pressure on the forearms to support and stabilize the wrists against arms 32 of bar 4, yet loose enough to be comfortable. The tighter the strap, the more pressure is placed on the wrists to hold them in a stable position during the putting stroke. This is helpful for golfers who have a tendency to use their wrists more than they should. Even if the strap is not used, bar 4 promotes the use of shoulders, arms, and wrists in one single motion of the putting stroke, as mentioned earlier herein.

It should be apparent that strap 6 can be secured to the two ends of bar 2 in other ways known in the art.

The user then grips the putter shaft in the normal manner and proceeds to practice.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A practice device used to improve a golfer's putting stroke, said device comprising: a bar member defining a support surface and constructed to be secured to a golf club shaft in order to maintain said support surface essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft; and a cord member secured to said bar member and including a cord secured to the bar member to extend across the golf club shaft, wherein said cord member is secured to said bar member in a manner to allow the golfer's forearms to be held securely between said cord member and said bar member when the golfer grips the club shaft in a normal manner to execute a putting stroke.
 2. The practice device of claim 1, wherein said bar member comprises a ring and two arms removably attached to said ring, and said two arms provide said support surface.
 3. The practice device of claim 2, wherein said two arms are movable relative to said ring to a position for clamping the club shaft.
 4. The practice device of claim 3, wherein said bar is provided with two holes, each at an end of a respective arm that is remote from said ring, and said cord member is secured in said holes.
 5. The practice device of claim 4, wherein said cord member comprises a cord lock for securing said cord to said bar member.
 6. A method for a golfer to practice putting a golf ball with the device of claim 1, comprising: attaching the bar member to the golf club shaft so that the support surface is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft and to the club head; tightening the cord member; inserting the golfer's hands between the bar member and the cord member to grip the club shaft; and executing putting strokes. 